BISHOP Fintan Monahan has warned priests to “use a cotton bud or surgical glove for the anointing with Holy Oil” when giving the last rites and to maintain a distance of one metre.

The Bishops of the Cashel Province (which includes Clare) issued a statement advising elderly and vulnerable priests to protect their health during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We recognise the challenges priests face in their desire to reach out pastorally while always mindful of the public health recommendations. We call on priests, especially those who are elderly and vulnerable, to take care also of themselves at this time. Their ministry of prayer, blessing and support is valuable and needed, even if it is necessary to curtail to an absolute minimum direct pastoral contact with others,” the statement reads.

When anointing the sick, priests are encouraged to avoid contact with others in the house of the person who is seriously ill.

“It is clear that some priests will themselves, because of their health condition or age, feel unable to attend to the sick person in their local parish. They may need to call on another priest from elsewhere to celebrate the sacrament,” the statement adds.

Priests are advised to stay away from family homes in the event of a funeral, for fear of spreading infection. “Mass should not be offered in family homes even in the circumstance of a bereavement. Normally, priests are advised against visiting homes at this time because priests themselves may be carriers of the virus without knowing it or the virus may be in the house,” the statement concluded.

Parishoners are also asked to avoid attending funerals at this time and instead send a letter, a text message or an an e-mail.

Related News

leonora carey shannon 1
Carey takes aim in first dig of the GE24 campaign in Clare
Kinvara Tidy Towns, Co
Kinvara Tidy Towns a runner up in Pride of Place competition
court seat
Limerick man made funeral pay 'threat' to Clare based ex-partner
le24 election count pat dowling 1
Dowling 'lit a very bright candle for Co Clare'
Latest News
le24 election count pat dowling 1
Dowling 'lit a very bright candle for Co Clare'
peter keane 2
Keane officially ratified as Clare manager & Co Board say 'no rancour' following Neylon's resignation
age friendly award galway 1-2
Connemara bus shelter project drives Galway County Council to Age Friendly award win
kevin hassett 1
Ballot Beats: Ex General Election candidate rows in behind two Independents
clarecastle v newmarket-on-fergus 09-11-24 paul o'connell 1
Semi-final draws held for U21 hurling championships
Premium
Shannon Airport
Portuguese drug mule found with cannabis worth €479k at Shannon Airport jailed for 40 months
pat dowling carrigaholt
Dowling to retire as Chief Executive of Clare County Council in December
feakle killanena v clooney quin 09-11-24 keith smyth matthew corbett evan maxted 1
Feakle/Killanena, Inagh/Kilnamona & Doora/Barefield advance to U21A hurling semi-finals
truagh clonlara v sixmilebridge 30-08-24 sinead hogg 1
Final controversy means Truagh/Clonlara & Gailltir must go again in Munster senior camogie decider
patrick bourke 05-11-24 2
'If this snag becomes a spot for winos I'll leave superglue on it & glue their arses to it' - Bourke calls out slow pace of Ennis public realm works

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Scroll to Top